The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-07-06
JUST FOR A JOKE.

was at all surprised.
What child," said Mrs. Brews-
ter.
ut il Grandma offenders wedding
dress said Josie Brown, 81 tried if
on once. but couldn't button it around
me-"
Where on earth did you find it?"
asked Miss Lawrence.
+" Not at all unbecoming," said young
DIR. Layard, with bright observant eyes.
+" But where is the groom ?" demanded
saucy Josie.
ALLOW me 10 otliciate,' said Dr. La
yard, springing lightly to his feet and
taking his position beside the pretty lit
lie appariiion in white satin and creamy
lace
Harry Lawrence at once struck an
attitude in front Of the pair
"Lilias.' said he. comieally initiating
the drawl of good Old snufi-taking DR.
Jugge, viii you take Augustine Layard
TO be your own husband ?"
"say Yes prompted the young
man at her side-and Lilias laughing
ly answered, "Not TO spoil joke
yes"
Augustine :" shouted Harry, "do
you take Lilias to be your welded wife,
for richer, for poorer, and all the rest of
ito"
"Of course | do said Dr. Layard.
"and a pretty little wife she is in
that long-waisted gown and frill of
lace"
Children = cried Mrs Brewster, the
oldest of the party, although she has
not yet attained the matronly age of
eieht-and-twenty, " what are YOU about ;
"Only having little fun, said Lilias.
Now, please don't scold."
But you are trifiing with far too
serious things said Mrs. brewster
and Miss Lawrence looked shrewdly up
from under her white eyelashes at the
young pair.
" | dare say you think It's a very good
joke" said she. "but was at Newport
once, where there was charade, or tab
leau. OF something OF the sort, and two
young people went through the mar
riage service, and 10 and behold, then
they were married hard and fast and
But Lilias Brown stayed to listen TO
nothing more With a little shrek OF
dismay she tore off the wedding veil
and flew away up stairs to hide herself
in the old garnet, where the rain patter-
ed on the shingled roof overhead. and
the faint scent of sandal wood and dried
rose leaves floated out of the trunks
and boxes which she had Just been
rifling.
Married Married F" she repeated to
herself " But it's all nonsense.-it musi
be nonsense No law ON The faae of the
earth would beat out such a piece OF
burlesque as that
And Augustine Layard, smiling quietly
at the uproar and turmoil which sur.
rounded him, took book and establish
ed himself in the hammock on the south
veranda, where the tempest of rain beat
around him in all directions without
touching him, and the scent of the pros
trate roses filed his nostrils with every
gust of wind.
But little Mrs. Brewster was uneasy
in her mind, and when the wheels o.
the rockaway which brought passenger
from the evening train were heard graf
ing gravel, she rushed to meet her hus
band, 8 thriving young New York law
yer.
Tom" said she, wait Don't go int
the hall just yet. want 10 tell yot
something
Can't l even take off my overcoat?
he asked, laughing at her pretty eager
ness.
Toni she uttered, breathlessl,
listen. DO Iisten?"
My dear, am all attention ,"
If a girl saws she will take man fol
her husband-and he says he viii TAX,
her for ms wife
Before witnesses
Yes, before witnesses il rea
marriage, Tom?"
As real a marriage as if all the
churches and parsons in America had
signed and sealed ii, said Mr.. Brews
ter. And now let me come IN, Puss
for the air is damp, and the shine o.
yonder wood fire on the hearth is moi
without it, attraction"
Without lingering to question more
Mrs- Brewster fed up stairs to the old
garet, where Lilias Brown was still
crouching among the old trunks and
boxes.
" lt'sjuss as told you Lillias said she
+" You are married."
Liias large blue eyes shone like stan
from the background of her pallid face
q But won't be married ?n said she.
DR. Layard was in the great sittin.
room when she came shyly down hel
eyes swollen with CRYING, her fair cheek,
flushed.
Come and sit down by me. Mis-.
Brown" he said. with smile, as h,
made room for her on the sofa al his
side.
a ] won't" she flashed out You have
no authority over me- 81 am goins
away tomorrow
He looked hard at her. Are Won
running away from me. Lilias?r sait
he
q am running away from my own
folly" she answered in choked voice
You need not run away either frorr
one or the other" said Augustine La
yard. 81 will leave schollopshell Farm
myself TO morrow morning. If you can
not be satisfied with my solemn assertion
that attach as little consequence a
yourself 10 our unconsidered practica
joke, assure you would never undel
any circumstances accept an unwiIlin.
bride"
Lilias made no answer; she only look
ed at him with solemn, frightened ewes
and, true to his word, DIR. Layard lef
the farm next day.
There's an end Of the natter sale
Mrs. Brewster, with an air of seren,
matronly authority. And nos. Lilias